My Embroidery Learning curve

I have been teaching myself 

free-motion machine embroidery

and really enjoying the process.

This is my chronological embroidery journey.....

So that's is it in a nutshell.
Some of it is on Etsy and some I am putting in
Reverse Garbage's upcoming exhibition
"Thread Count".

If you want to keep up I post much more regularly on Facebook and instagram (elle and lou).

Teacher Aides: Super-workmates

I hear a lot of people grumble and bitch

 about the people they work with.

This makes me feel sad for them,

and all the more appreciative of what I have.

There is one person in particular 

who enables my workplace

 to function smoothly and happily.

Maybe you are lucky enough

 to have one of those people in your work place?

 They are always happy.

They will always to do what ever is needed.

They find the time for everyone.

They are supportive.

They are generous and graceful.

My super-workmate and friend

is the art assistant / teacher aide at our college.

She works tirelessly and is always positive.

Teacher aides are the backbone of our schools

and so often unrecognised for their efforts.

I love our chats about creativity, family.. whatever!

Teacher aides are the backbone of our schools

and so often unrecognised for their efforts.

So today I made her a little thank-you gift.

A metrocard wallet with one of her favourite singers-Pink.

Its not much but I hope it gives her a smile.

Here's cheers to 2013 -cherishing this time

Welcome to the New Year!

(even though we are already 8 days into it)

In Australia it is school holidays .

We have been catching up with many family and friends with afternoon barbies and long lunches.

To not be concerned with time and dates

 is indeed a rare treat and to be cherished.

My studio has been neglected,
my sewing machine abandoned,

my creative life paused.

This afternoon, 

I ventured into my studio and

 opened a shoebox.

 I found some bunting I began roughly six months ago.

I think I have forgotten how to stick to a task,

or perhaps I never quite got the hang of it.

 Today I made another 4 triangles

 and so I am a step closer to the end

of this project.

I will finish this bunting before my holidays end,

 but I intend to cherish my

freedom from the clock for as long as possible.

Reindeers and Elves: Handmade Cards

Well, there is a reason for my blogging absence...

Work.

Life.

Family.

and Instagram is faster and more immediate :)

Another reason is my commitment

 to making and gifting handmade this year.

No "Made in China" for me this year.

Oh,  one exception:

 I can't handmake a trampoline for the kids.

Here is a card I made tonight from

a vintage 1976 Golden Book 

 "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer"

Are you into Christmas this year?

Or maybe you just couldn't be christmarsed!

(got to love the Urban Dictionary)

Spooky Halloween Bunting Giveaway

Halloween is in 13 days -spooky.

We don't have much time...

So I'll cut to the chase.

I'm giving a way some handmade

Book Bunting.

The book is vintage 1981,

"The Great Bear Scare"

There is a tag...

the giveaway is only for
Elle and Lou Facebook supporters.

So pop over, hit 'like' & this handmade bunting maybe heading your way next week. 

The competition closes on Wednesday morning at 10am and is only open to Australian and New Zealand residents.

3 Little Kittens Bunting in a Book

The Three Little Kittens

 story has always been a favourite with me.

So when I happened upon this 1974 Golden Book publication it was destined to become "Bunting in a Book".

I did leave out the pages of the mother cat

 spanking the kittens over her knee, however tempted I was.

I can't wait to find out where this bunting is destined for-

hopefully a sweet little nursery or child's room.

I'd like to think that the new owner will end up loving this story and much as me.

  

I'll bring this bunting and other "Bunting in a Book"

 to the BrisStyle indie Designers Market 

on the 14th July in the heart of Hamilton, Brisbane.

Birthday Cards and Movie Moments

Yes, here I am

 days later and still working on my 'Birthday Issues'

My actual birthday came and went I am proud to say without a tear nor tantie.

 The same cannot be said for these

 beauties of the silver screen:

Bette Davies

 (...we love you- I always think of the Madonna song Vogue)

Audrey and Katherine Hepburn

and Catherine Deneuve.

Oh Katherine is it oh so bad?

Here's hoping that someone out there shares my slightly distorted sense of birthday humour, either that or my girlfriends are getting these cards for quite some time.

On the flip side..

Hope you are having a Doris Day!

La Dolce Vita is up-cycling

Now call it opportunistic BUT,

 when the kids are at school is my best chance to...

 ... go through their rooms and throw out crap

- they are such hoarders!

If you have a daughter,

chances are she went through PPP

 (plastic pony phase)

A word of encouragement:

thankfully there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I think my daughter has pretty much outgrown them.

Yesterday, I found this forgotten plastic pony carry case and couldn't help myself

-maybe I can be a hoarder too.

I soaked off the filly brand info and was left with a super  icky sticky but funky green briefcase.

"Movie Classics" has been featuring

 regularly in my up-cycling work lately.

A trim and a tweak,

 some glue and some sealer and...

La Dolce Vita!

Translated:

The Sweet Life or 

The Good Life

Ticket wallets fit perfectly- La Dolce Vita

Linking Elle and Lou here:

http://cheapcraftymama.com/pin-it-and-win-it-7/#comment-1199
http://www.releasemecreate.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.happygoluckyblog.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com.au/
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.craftionary.net/

Art bangles: A class project for Primary Students

Now it may just be me..

but in my experience,

 the male gender aren't crash hot

 when it comes to buying presents for others.

This week I have been talking

 with quite a few mums

 about what goes on in their home for Mother's day.

Overwhelmingly, this is what happens:

It seems we mums buy our own presents,

subtly side passing them to our partners 

who in turn pass them on to the kids.

This has its benefits-we get what we want!

I know, because I'm getting a funky pair of knee high boots  (Oh! what a surprise!)

But really we mums have don't care about the present,

 it is the thought that counts.

 We are SO cliche sometimes!

Now I teach in a boys' college and I feel I am obliged to TRY and educate the young ones to think about others, especially their mums who do so much for them.

I admit,

 I also wanted to teach them about up-cycling,

artworks from a variety or historical and cultural contexts,

moulding materials and presentation.

So, we embarked on 62 bangles!

This how we did it...

•   We began by soaking extra large paddle pop sticks in water for 24 hours.
• Then carefully, we bent the pop sticks into a curve and put them in a small glass to dry for 24 hours. Some broke or splintered, but we had extras.

• Next, the boys looked through old Art books and journals that were destined for the recycle bin. As they looked at the artworks spontaneous conversations, questions and analysis evolved. They chose an artwork that would become the feature of the gift tag and bangle.

• A flat paddle pop stick was used as a template. Placing it onto the chosen artwork, they traced around the shape, cut out the art image and Mod Podged it onto the bangle. They sealed the outside of the bangle with Mod Podge also. 

• To make the gift tag the boys used a circle punch to select a matching image. This was then glued on blue industrial offcuts. 
• They punched white paper for the reverse side, glued it and wrote a sweet message for their mum.
• Then the boys punched a small hole and inserted the string. 

•  Finally the boys wrapped the bangle, inserting the information note below.

I know the boys' mothers will appreciate the care their sons have taken in creating this gift for them and the boys were very proud of what they achieved.

Incidentally, this activity also gave the boys practice with their fine motor skills such as cutting, tracing and accuracy. Never underestimate how many primary students struggle with these simple tasks!

Anyhoot- Happy Mothers Day!

Post Note: my children made me some gorgeous Mother's  Day cards, as did my wonderful husband AND my knee high boots are a perfect fit...who would have thunk it ;)

Also, the original pop bangle idea is not mine it came from the creative  Tara at Craft Affection.

Sharing this Elle and Lou post here:
http://www.kadie-sevenalive.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/
http://cheapcraftymama.com/pin-it-and-win-it-7/#comment-1199
http://www.releasemecreate.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.happygoluckyblog.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com.au/
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.craftionary.net/

Mother's Day Card: Sound of Music

Last weekend The Sound of Music was on TV...again!

I wonder how many times I've seen it?

I could watch it all over again tonight.

It may have something to do with the fact that brown paper packages tied up with string DO feature pretty highly on my list of things to dig.

It inspired me to make this  Mother's Day card for my favourite woman, my Mum.

Happy Mother's Day

 to ALL the fabulous Mums out there,

 from all generations!

Sharing at:
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/
http://whilehewasnapping.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.serenitynowblog.com/
http://tatertotsandjello.com/